No POD, Possible Fraudulent Claim?

[Madwife2009]

Hi,

I am after a bit of help (again).

We posted an item via Second Class Signed For last Thursday (14th November). This is a sale through Ebay. On Tuesday (19th November) the customer was claiming that it hadn't arrived. This seemed slightly premature, being as it was second class. Checked the tracking number, just states "Accepted at POL" (this hasn't changed all week). This is odd as the item would not fit through a letterbox (unless the letterbox was the size of a catflap!) and the postman would have had to hand the item to the customer. The customer's premature claim indicated to me that the item had been received, the tracking checked, found to be absent and so a claim made. Or else no signature obtained.

We have since found out that this customer has done this to several other sellers, on the same day, same item. Lots of items have "failed to arrive". We've reported the customer to Ebay who are investigating but we are keen to find out if this item was actually signed for but the signature wasn't uploaded to the internet. RM CS said they couldn't do anything. However, on previous occasions when I've made a claim for no POD, I've had a letter declining the claim with a copy of the signature that hadn't shown online.

Who would be the best people to ask about this? We tried the local DO who said it should have been uploaded as they are all electronic. I'd like to try to sort this out before the customer gets nasty so that ideally, I can go back to the customer and say "actually, you've received this item . . .".

If anyone can help, it would be appreciated.

Many thanks

[Pinky 1]

Well according to our Track & Trace it was sent from SN3 3RZ on 14/11/13 and delivery has not been attempted yet.
It's possible it has been delivered without getting a signature but more likely that it's still in the system.
If you could tell us the city/town of destination, and the first half of the postcode, maybe someone on here could let you know of any local difficulties.

[Madwife2009]

Thanks for the information. The destination was Leeds, postcode LS14 6

[Buttner]

I would personally try:

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/recei ... redelivery" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Madwife2009]

Well, I checked the tracking today, just before issuing a refund and it's been delivered (with signature). I am so pleased, well done RM and the hard-working postmen/women.

However, maybe I should stop being so cynical about people trying to claim non-delivery for items (although, given the evidence available, I think it was a fair conclusion to draw!).

Thanks again for your help.